Hermetically encased electroluminescent display device



- July 1l, 1967 H. F. DlcKsoN, JR 3,330,982

HERMETICALLY ENCASED ELECTROLUMINESCENT DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 'l /9 'A 3l) 32 33 29 63 INVENTOR July 11, i967 H. F. DlcKsoN, JR 3,330,982

HBRMETICALLY ENCASED ELECTROLUMINESCENT DISPLAYDEVICE Filed Aug. 14. 1964 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent O Filed Aug. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 389,680 16 Claims. (Cl. 313-108) This invention relates to electroluminescent display devices and more particularly to hermetically encased electroluminescent devices-and methods lfor fabricating the structures.

`Many of the conventional electroluminescent displays, as -for example, those adapted to present alpha and/or numeric information and other specific signs, symbols, and configurations of a luminescent character have been fabricated with plastic connector plates and high temperature wax seals. While this wax 'sealed construction has afforded some protection Afor the device against moisture, it has not provided maximum benefit since the seal varies in thickness, is not abrasion resistant, and softens at high ambient temperatures in the vicinity of 80 C. A rupture or Ibreak in the wax seal exposes the lamp structure and electrode pattern to the `deleterious effects of moisture and atmospheric gases which promote internal electrical leakage conditions. The protection afforded by the conventional plastic connector plate has also been of limited moisture resistance Ivalue and high temperature deterioration.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to reduce the aforementioneddisadvantages by providing a compact hermetically encased electroluminescent device that is capable of withstanding adverse environmental conditions including a temperature range of at least from 70 C. to +100 C.

Another object is to provide an encased electroluminescent device having a confined internal atmosphere conducive to eiiicient and reliable operation.

A further object is to provide a hermetically encased Aunitized assembly that can be advantageously manufactured and commercially utilized.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by the -pr-ovision of the hermetic encasement of an electroluminescent display device wherein the viewing panel, which is the substrate of device, is perimetrically sealed to the metallic or ceramic yframing means encompassing the device. Oppositely disposed and bonded to the frame is a connector plate, compatible with the device and the lframe and having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough. Electrical connection between the electrode segments of the display device and the inner portions of the pins is effected by resilient conducitve means compressed therebetween. A sealable port may be included in the encasement to facilitate the establishment of controlled atmospheric content therein.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a -cross-section of one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a partially sectioned plan view showing one type of electroluminescent electrode segment array display;

FIGURE 4 is .a sectional view illustrating a recessed port;

3,330,982 Patented July 1l, 1967 ICC FIGURE 5 is a partially sectioned perspective showing another port embodiment; and

FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-section depicting another embodiment of framing means for the encasement.

With reference to FIGURE 1, there is shown a hermetic encasement 11 of an electroluminescent display device 13. This encasement, comprising a plurality of associated structural components, has a substantially transparent viewing panel 15 which in this instance is the substrate 19 of a conventional electroluminescent device. The viewing panel or substrate is pemetrically sealed or hermetically bonded to the top portion 23 of an encompassing metal frame 25. Upon the substrate, within the frame, there is disposed a substantially transparent common electrode layer 29, overlaid with yan electric field responsive phosphor-dielectric layer 31. Upon this layer, an array of individually energizable electrode segments, of which 37, 39, 41, and 43 are illustrative examples, are disposed in an arrangement capable of inducing fiuorescent information presentation upon selective energization as will be described. Hermetically sealed to the bottom portion 24 of frame 25 is a metallic connector plate 47 having -a plurality of `conductive pins 49 insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough. The inner ends 51 of the pins are formed to accommodate resilient conductive caps 55 -to provide compressive electrical connections with the electrode segments and the common electrode of the device. A sealable port 59 may be included in the connector plate 47 to facilitate the establishment of -a desired gaseous content within the encasement. The energizing of the common electrode layer 29 in conjunction with a selected pattern of segments in the electrode array y35 creates an electric field in the phosphor-dielectric layer 31 therebetween to produce a luminescent information pattern visible through the viewing panel 15.

In greater detail, the metal frame 25 is made of -a highchrome alloy metal, for example, Carpenter 27 as produced by Carpenter Steel Company, Reading, Pa. This frame, formed to encompass yan electroluminescent unit, has a top edge portion 23 adapted for sealing to a -glass viewing panel 15 which, in this instance, is also the substrate 19 of the electroluminescent device. A tinted soda lime glass having `a 6070 percent light transmission characteristic is suitable for this usage. The perimetric deposition of a continuous bead of potash soda lead powdered `glass or frit 63 between the contiguous edges of the viewing panel and the frame produces a graded hermetic `bond in yaccordance with conventional sealing techniques.

A substantially transparent common electrode layer 29, as for example a coating of tin oxide, is adhered to the inner surface of substrate 19. A phosphor-dielectric layer 31 is suitably applied over the common electrode. This layer is formed, for example, of a mixture of an electric field responsive phosphor such as Icopper activated zinc sulfide and a leadless glass suitably fired so that the phophor particles 32 are suspended in the dielectric glass 33. It will be noted that the dielectric layer has Iat least one aperture 34 therein to enable electrical connective access to the common electrode 29.

A patterned electrode array 35 defining a numeric as shown in FIGURE 3 is disposed on the phosphor-dielectric layer comprising a plurality of individually energizable electrode segments 37 to 43. Aluminum, silver, or gold are suitable metals from which this patterned array may be formed by vacuum metal deposition, photographic, stencil, or screen printing techniques.

A metallic connector plate 47 of an alloy such as Carpenter #27 is formed for perimetric engagement with the bottom portion 24 of frame 25. Discretely positioned and insulatively sealed within the plate, and extended therethrough, are a plurality of conductive pins 49 of, for example, nickel-chromium-iron alloy. These pins are oriented to make contact with the individual electrode segments and the common electrode. Ceramic insulator sleeves 65, as of potash soda lead glass, are sealed to the pins and thence to the connector plate 47 to individually insulate the pins from the plate. The outer ends 52 of the pins 49' are adapted to facilitate external electrical connections and the inner ends 51 are fabricated to accommodate the tting therein or thereon of a resilient conductive cap 55. Each of the plurality of such caps may -be of a conductive silicone rubber material formed with a compressible portion protruding beyond the end of the pin. Upon fitting the connector plate 47 to compatibly engage the bottom portion 24 of the frame 25, the respective resilient conductive caps 55 are placed in compressive contact with the electrode segments and common electrode of the display device. A perimetric hermetic seal is consummated between the frame and the plate by conventional means wherein soldering, brazing or welding material 69 is incorporated to complete the hermetic encasement of the device.

In instances where a specific atmospheric environment is desired within the encasement, a scalable port 59 is included in the connector plate 47. This port maybe in the form of an extended tubulation 60 or a recessed tubulation 61 as shown in FIGURE 4. By means of this port, a vacuum may be drawn on the interior of the hermetically sealed encasement. If desired, either form of the port 59 or 61 may be incorporated within the frame 25 as illustrated in FIGURE 5. If desired, a specific gaseous atmosphere may be established therein prior to sealing of the port.

While the aforementioned electroluminescent display device 13 has been described as being sequentially fabricated upon a substrate 19 sealed within frame 25, the device may be Prefabricated and then sealed within the frame as a unit. In this method, care must be exercised when sealing the device to the frame 25 to avoid temperature effects deleterious to the phosphor particles 31 contained therein.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 2 wherein the encasement 11 having a substantially light-transmissive viewing panel 15', as of glass, is perimetrically sealed to the top portion 23 of metallic frame 25'. A graded hermetic bond is accomplished by utilizing a bead of frit 63 intermediate the frame and the glass panel.'

A fabricated electroluminescent device 13 is positioned within the frame with the substantially light-transmissive substrate 19 contiguous to the viewing panel 15. An insulative connector board 71, as of plastic or glass, has therein a plurality of apertures 73 accommodating resilient conductive plugs 75 extended bilaterally therethrough and oriented to make electrical contact with the individual electrode segments and at least one connection with the common electrode of the display device. These resilient conductive plugs may be of silicone rubber such as Kl5l6 as manufactured by Union Carbide Corporation, New York, N.Y.; or they may be in the form of compressed line wire plugs of a material known as Fuzz Buttons available from Technical Wire Products, Inc., Springeld, NJ. As an aid to provide internal atmospheric control Within the'encasement, this connector board 71 may be of micro-cellular ceramic material such as Vycor glass as manufactured by Corning Glass Works, Corning, N.Y. This high silica cellular material has an aflinity for moisture and provides additional atmospheric l control when degassed prior to insertion within the encasement.

A metallic connector plate 47 is formed for perimetric engagement with the bottom portion 24 of :trame 25'. Discretely positioned and insulatively sealed within the connector plate and extended therethrough, are a plurality of conductive pins 49', the inner ends 51 of which are orientedto make compressive electrical contact with the resilient conductive plugs in connector board 71.

Upon iittting the connector plate 47 to the bottom portion 24 of frame 25', the inner ends 51 of pins 49 make compressive electrical contact with the resilient conductive plugs 75 which, in turn, make compressive contact with the respective segments of electrode array 35 and the common electrode 29. Perimetric sealing of the connector plate 47 to the frame 25 completes the hermetic encasement of the device. As described for the previous ernbodiment, a scalable port 59 may be incorporated in either the connector plate or the frame if so desired to facilitate the establishment of specific atmospheric control within the encasement.

Another frame embodiment is shown in FIGURE 6, wherein a frame band 77 substantially in the form of 'a metallic perimetric bead is bonded by frit 63 to substrate 19 and soldered, brazed or welded by means of suitable material 69' to the connector plate 47. Band 77 may be of Carpenter #27 alloy or of a solder alloy material.

Thus there is provided a compact, hermetically encased electroluminescent display device that is sealed against moisture penetration and capable of withstanding adverse environmental temperature conditions. The encased assembly has a confined internal atmo-sphere conducive for efficient and reliable operation.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modiiications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric field responsive phosphordielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device cornprising:

a metallic connector plate formed for compatible engagement with the segment portion of lsaid device, said plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough;

internal connective means providing electrical connection for said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and

a metallic frame having top and bottom perimetric portions formed to encompass said display device and said connector plate, said top portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate to provide hermetic seals for said device.

2. In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a substantialy transparent electrode disposed on a light-transmissive substrate and separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric iield responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device cornprising:

a light-transmissive viewing panel positioned contiguous -to said substrate;

:a metallic connector plate formed for compatible engagement with the segment portion `of said device, said plate .having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough; Y

internal connective means providing electrical connection for said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and

a metallic frame having top and bottom perimetric portions formed to encompass said display device and said connector plate, said top portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate to provide hermetic seals for said device.

3. In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a substantially transparent electrode disposed on the inner surface of a substantially light-transmissive viewing panel and separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric field responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement -of said device comprising:

a metallic connector plate formed for compatible engagement with `the segment portion of said device, said plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough;

internal connective means providing electrical connection for said individual electrode segments and said comm-on electrode with said respective pins; and

a metallic frame having top and Ibottom perimetric portions formed to encompass said display device and said connector plate, said ltop portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion `being sealed to said connector plate.

4. In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric eld responsive phosphordielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

a connector plate formed for compatible engagement with the segment portion of said device, said plate having therein a tubular post capable of being sealed therein and extended therethrough, said plate having therein a tubular port capable of being sealed;

internal connective means providing electrical connection for said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and

a trame having top and bottom perimetric portions formed to encompass said display device and said conector plate, said t-op portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate.

5. In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electr-ode segments by an electric eld responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

a connector plate formed for compatible engagement with the segment portion of said device, said plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough;

internal connective means providing electrical connection for said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and

a frame having top and bottom perimetric portions with a rim therebetween formed to encompass said display device and said connector plate, said rim having therein a tubular port capable of being sealed, said top portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate.

6. In combination with an electr-oluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric field responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

an insulative connector Iboard having a plurality of apertures therein positioned contiguous said electrode segments, at least one aperture being oriented for each of said segments and said common electrode;

a connector plate formed for compatible engagement with said connector board, said plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough, said pins being oriented to match said apertures, said plate having therein a tubular port capable of being sealed to provide a specic atmospheric environment within said en- Casement;

a plurality of resilient conductive plugs disposed in said apertures of said connector board and extended bilaterally therethrough to provide compressive means for connecting said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and

a frame having top and bottom perimetric portions formed to encompass said display device, said connector board and said connector plate, said top portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate to provide a hermetic enclosure.

7. In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by Ian elec-tric eld responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

an insulative connector board having a plurality of apertures therein positioned contiguous said electrode segments, at least one aperture being oriented for each of said segments and said common electrode;

a connector plate formed for compatible engagement with said connector board, said plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough, said pins being oriented to match said apertures;

a plurality of resilient conductive plugs disposed in said apertures of said connector board and extended bilaterally therethrough to provide compressive means for connecting said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and

a frame having top and bottom perimetric portions with a rim therebetween formed to encompass said display device, said connector board and said connector plate, said top portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate, said rim having therein a tubular port capable of being sealed to provide a specific atmospheric environment within said encasement.

8. In combination wi-th an electroluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric field responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

an insulative connector board having a plurality of apertures therein positioned contiguous said electrode segments, at least one aperture being oriented for each of said segments and said common electrode;

a connector plate formed for compatible engagement with said connector board, said plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough, said pins being oriented to match said apertures, said plate having therein .a substantially recessed port capable of being sealed to provide a specific atmospheric environment within said encasement;

a plurality of resilient conductive plugs disposed in said apertures of said connector board and extended bilaterally therethrough to provide compressive means for connecting said individual electrode segments and said common electrode With said respective pins; and

a `frame having top and bottom perimetric portions formed to encompass #said display device, said connector board and said connector plate, said top portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate to provide a hermetic enclosure.

9. In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric eld responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

an insulative plastic connector board having a plurality of apertures therein positioned contiguous said electrode segments, at least one aperture being oriented for each of said seg-ments and said common electrode;

a metallic connector plate formed for compatible engagement with said connector board, said plate having a plurality of conductive metallic pins insulatively sealed within ceramic closures therein and extended therethrough, said pins being Voriented to match said apertures, said plate having therein a port capable of being sealed to provide a specic atmospheric environment within said encasement;

a plurality of conductive rubber plugs disposed in said apertures of said connector board and extended bilaterally therethrough to provide compressive means for connecting said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and

a frame having top and bottom perimetric portions formed to encompass said display device, said connector board and said connector plate, said top portion being sealed to 'said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate to provide a hermetic enclosure.

lil. :In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a viewing panel relative to a substantially transparent common electrode separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric eld responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

an insulative connector board of micro-cellular ceramic material to provide internal atmospheric control, said board having a plurality of apertures therein positioned contiguous said electrode segments, iat least one aperture being oriented for each ofsaid segments and said common electrode;

a metallic connector plate formed for compatible engagement with said connector board, said plate having a plurality of conductive metallic pins insulatively sealed within -ceramic closures therein and extended therethrough, said pins being oriented to match said apertures, said plate having therein a port capable of being sealed to provide a specific atmospheric environment Within said encasement;

a plurality of conductive rubber plugs disposed in said apertures of said connector board and extended bilaterally therethrough to provide compressive means for connecting said individual electrode segments and said common electrode with said respective pins; and' a frame having top and bottom perimetric portions formed to encompass said display device, said connector board and said connector plate, said top port-ion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate to provide a hermetic enclosure.

11. `In combination with an electroluminescent display device having a substantially transparent common electrode disposed n the surface of a substrate in the form of a substantially light-transmissive view-ing panel and separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric eld responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

a metallic connector plate formed for compatible engagement with the electrode segment portion of said device, lsaid plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed within ceramic closures therein and extended therethrough, at least one of said pins being oriented to afford contact with each of said segments and said common electrode, said plate having therein a port capable of being sealed;

a plurality of conductive rubber connective means individually formed to cap the inner ends of said pins to provide compressive electrical connection for said individual electrode segments and said com-mon electrode with said respect-ive pins; and

la metallic frame having top and bottom perimetric portions yformed to encompass said display device and said connector plate, said top portion being sealed to said viewing panel and said bottom portion being sealed to said connector plate to provide a hermetic enclosure.

12. In combination wit-h an electroluminescent display device having a substantially transparent electrode disposed in the surface of `a substantially light-transmis-sive substrate and separated from an array of individually energizable electrode segments by an electric field responsive phosphor-dielectric layer therebetween, a hermetic encasement of said device comprising:

ya substantially light-transmissive viewing panel formed for placement contiguous -to said substrate;

a metallic trame having a top edge and a bottom edge formed to encompass said viewing panel and said -display device, said top edge being sealed to said viewing panel to provide Ia partial encasement for said device;

a metallic connector plate formed for compatible sealing engagement with the bottom of said frame to complete the encasement of said device, said back having `a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended interiorly yand exteriorly therethrough; and

a plurality of internal connective means within the encasement connecting said individual electrode segments of said device with the inner ends of said pins.

13. A method for fabricating a ported hermetic eneasement of an electroluminescent display `device having `a substantially light-transmissive viewing panel-substrate and oppositely disposed electrodes, within an encompassing Vframe having top and bottom perimetric portions, a connector plate having a port and a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough, and an insulative connector board having `a plurality of 'resilient conductive means interiorly positioned to provide electrical connection between said pins and said electrodes, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said substantially light-transmissive viewing panel in said frame;

hermetically sealing the perimetric portion of said panel to said top portion of said fra-me;

adhering a substantially transparent common electrode layer upon the inner surface of said panel;

disposing a phosphor-dielectric layer over said common electrode;

applying a patterned array of individually energizable electrode segments on said dielectric layer;

positioning resilient conductive caps on the inner ends of said conductive pins in said connector plate;

tting said connector plate to said frame with said conductive caps interiorly adjacent to said electrode segments and at least one portion of said common electrode to provide compressive electric-al connection between said electrodes `and said caps;

hermetically sealing ysaid connector plate to said bottom perimetric portion of said frame;

regulating the atmospheric content of said encasement through said port; and

sealing said port to complete the hermetic closure of said device.

14, A method for fabricating ya hermetic encasement of an electrolurninescent -display device having a substantially light-transmissive viewing panel-substrate and oppositely disposed electrodes, within an encompassing frame having top and bottom perimetric portions, a connector plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough, and a plurality of resilient conductive means interiorly positioned to provide electrical connection between said pins and said electrodes, `said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said substantially light-transmissive viewing panel in said frame;

hermetically sealing the perimetric portion of said panel to said top portion of said frame;

adhering a substantially transparent `common electrode layer upon the inner surface of said panel; disposing a phosphor-dielectric layer over said common electrode;

applying a patterned `array of individually energizable electrode segments on said dielectric layer; positioning resilient conductive ca-ps on the inner ends of said conductive pins in said connector plate; fitting said connector plate to ysaid frame with said conductive caps inteliorly adjacent to said electrode segments and at least one portion of said common electrode to provide compressive electrical connection between said electrodes and said caps; and hermetically sealing said connector plate to said bottom perirnetric portion of said frame to provide a sealed atmospheric content in said encasement.

15. The method of hermetically encasing an electro- `luminescent 'display device, having a viewing panel and oppositely disposed electrode segments, within an encompassing frame having top Iand bottom perimetric portions and a connector plate having a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough, the inner ends of said pins being capped with resilient conductive means, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning -said `display device within said frame with the viewing panel adjacent the top perimetric portion thereof;

sealing the edge of said panel to said top perimetric portion of said frame;

positioning said connector plate relative to said frame 10 to be contiguous to said electrode segments to provide compressive electrical connection between said pin-s and said segments through said resilient conductive means; and

sealing the edge of said connector plate to said bottom perimetric portion of said frame to provide a sealed atmospheric content in said encasement.

16. A method for fabricating a ported hermetric encasement of an electroluminescen-t display device, having a viewing panel and oppositely ydisposed electrode segments, within an encompassing frame having top and bottom perimetric portions, ya connector plate having a port and a plurality of conductive pins insulatively sealed therein and extended therethrough, and an internally positioned insulative connector board oriented intermediate said segments and said plate having a plurality of resilient conductive means discretely spa-ced therein, s-aid process comprising the steps of:

positioning Isaid display 'device within said frame wit-l1 the viewing panel adjacent the top perimetric portion thereof;

sealing the edge of said panel to said top perimetric portion of said frame;

positioning said connector board within said frame contiguous to said electrode segments to provide lContact between said resilient conductive means and sai-d segments;

positioning said connector plate relative to said frame and said connector board to achieve contact between Ythe inner ends of said pins and said resilient conductive means thereby providing compressive electrical connection between said pins 4and said segments through said resilient conductive means;

sealing the edge of said connector plate to said bottom perimetric portion of said frame;

regulating the atmospheric content of said encasement through said port; and

lsealing said port to complete the hermetic closure of said device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,821,646 1/1958 Walker 313-108 3,096,45 8 7/1963 Demmy 313-108 3,246,193 4/1966 Dickson et al. 313-108 3,252,042 5/1966 Knochel 313-108 -TAMES W. LAWRENCE, Primary Examiner. R. JUDD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN ELECTROLUMINESCENT DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING A VIEWING PANEL RELATIVE TO A SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSPARENT COMMON ELECTRODE SEPARATED FORM AN ARRAY OF INDIVIDUALLY ENERGIZABLE ELECTRODE SEGMENTS BY AN ELECTRIC FIELD RESPONSIVE PHOSPHORDIELECTRIC LAYER THEREBETWEEN, A HERMETIC ENCASEMENT OF SAID DEVICE COMPRISING: A METALLIC CONNECTOR PLATE FORMED FOR COMPATIBLE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SEGMENT PORTION OF SAID DEVICE, SAID PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTIVE PINS INSULATIVELY SEALED THEREIN AND EXTENDED THERETHROUGH; INTERNAL CONNECTIVE MEANS PROVIDING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR SAID INDIVIDUAL ELECTRODE SEGMENTS AND SAID COMMON ELECTRODE WITH SAID RESPECTIVE PINS; AND A METALLIC FRAME HAVING TOP AND BOTTOM PERIMETRIC PORTIONS FORMED TO ENCOMPASS SAID DISPLAY DEVICE AND SAID CONNECTOR PLATE, SAID TOP PORTION BEING SEALED TO SAID VIEWING PANEL AND SAID BOTTOM PORTION BEING SEALED TO SAID CONNECTOR PLATE TO PROVIDE HERMETIC SEALS FOR SAID DEVICE. 